Including Valve Or Port Patents (Class 248/205.9)
  • Patent number: 11415266
    Abstract: A quick-release anchoring apparatus includes an anchor member having a flexible base seal member that engages an external reference surface and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith to define a controlled pressure zone. The anchor member includes a central stem extending through an opening of the first auxiliary component. A mounting portion of the stem rigidly self-mounts the anchor member to the first auxiliary component opening. A vent port extends through the anchor member. A vent port upper end is centered within a stem landing zone on the stem upper end. A second auxiliary component is slidably mounted to the first auxiliary component and moves between a vent port closure position wherein the second auxiliary component engages the stem landing zone and blocks the vent port, a vent port open position wherein the second auxiliary component is out of engagement with the stem landing zone and unblocks the vent port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Israel Harry Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11318625
    Abstract: A ring frame holding mechanism holds under suction a lower surface of a ring frame when the ring frame is set at a target position, by using a positioning unit. In positioning the ring frame, air is discharged through a suction cup in a table to thereby form an air layer between the upper surface of the table and the lower surface of the ring frame. This air layer brings the ring frame and the suction cup into a noncontact state and also depresses the suction cup downward so that the upper end of the suction cup becomes flush with the table. Accordingly, the ring frame can be floated over the suction cup, so that the ring frame can be easily moved horizontally. That is, the ring frame can be easily set to the target position and the occurrence of improper positioning can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: DISCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Wada, Naohisa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11255372
    Abstract: An anti-theft suction cup structure includes a suction-cup body and a pressure ring. The suction-cup body has a suction end and a braking end. The suction end has a cup groove recessed on a side thereof toward the braking end, the braking end has an exhaust part formed thereon and is normally in a closed status. The pressure ring is mounted on an outer periphery of the suction-cup body. When the suction end is used for suction, air in the cup groove is extracted to form vacuum between the cup groove and the attached object, the sidewall of the cup groove is tightly attached with the attached object. When air is injected into between the cup groove and the attached object, non-vacuum is formed between the cup groove and the attached object. In vacuum, the pressure ring is configured to press hard on the suction-cup body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Chin-Hui Liao
  • Patent number: 11225381
    Abstract: A vacuum holder for articles, a combination of a vacuum holder and an article, a system for holding and conveying articles, and a method for holding and conveying articles are disclosed. The vacuum holder includes a main body having a surface and an air passageway leading to the surface, and a valve joined to the main body and in fluid communication with the air passageway. The vacuum holder includes an extensible skirt gasket with an opening therein. An article can be placed adjacent to the surface of the main body, and a vacuum can be drawn through the air passageway to hold the article to the vacuum holder. The valve maintains the vacuum between the article and the vacuum holder without being connected to a vacuum source, until it is desired to release the article from the vacuum holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christopher Robert Lyman, Jason Matthew Orndorff, Marcus Shen
  • Patent number: 11084176
    Abstract: The invention is a holding device for a suction gripper or for another interface member on a base of a vacuum handling apparatus, wherein the holding device is designed for detachable and preferably tool-free attachment of the suction gripper to the base and has a first direction and a second direction orthogonal thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventor: Leonhard Harter
  • Patent number: 10926419
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible. A granular material is provided in an interior of the gripper. The gripper is configured to grip a workpiece by being in close contact with the workpiece in a state in which an outer perimeter of the gripper is held, and by the interior of the gripper being depressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Emiko Ishida, Noriyuki Ooba, Hiromasa Takahashi, Akira Ushijima
  • Patent number: 10843346
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible. A granular material is provided in an interior of the gripper. The gripping tool grips a workpiece by depressurizing the interior of the gripper in a state in which the gripper is caused to contact the workpiece. At least a portion of the gripper includes a resin member and a fibrous member. The fibrous member is provided inside the resin member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiromasa Takahashi, Yoko Tokuno, Emiko Ishida
  • Patent number: 10774870
    Abstract: A vacuum suction device including a suction pad having a concave inner surface. The vacuum suction device also includes a vent hole penetrating from the concave inner surface of the suction pad to an outer surface of the suction pad. The vacuum suction device also includes a valve member disposed on the outer surface of the suction pad. As a pressure of a space, formed by an inner space of the suction pad, decreases, the valve member closes the vent hole from the outer surface of the suction pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Seok Kang, Min-Hyuk Nam
  • Patent number: 10766150
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible. A plurality of granular materials is provided in an interior of the gripper. The gripping tool grips a workpiece by depressurizing the interior of the gripper in a state in which the gripper is caused to contact the workpiece. A diameter of at least a portion of the granular materials is less than 1774 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiromasa Takahashi, Emiko Ishida
  • Patent number: 10702995
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible. A granular material is provided in an interior of the gripper. The gripping tool grips a workpiece by depressurizing the interior of the gripper in a state in which the gripper is caused to contact the workpiece. The gripper includes a first portion contacting the workpiece, a second portion opposing the first portion, and a fibrous membrane having a plurality of pores and being provided between the first portion and the second portion. A diameter of at least a portion of the pores is smaller than a diameter of the granular material. The granular material is provided between the fibrous membrane and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiromasa Takahashi, Yoko Tokuno, Kenta Fukatsu, Emiko Ishida
  • Patent number: 10520009
    Abstract: A consumer product or toy suction cup ensemble includes a housing, a suction cup formation, and a relief valve formation. A collar element may be included in certain embodiments. The housing includes a stem-letting aperture. The suction cup formation includes a collapsible cup portion and a stem portion. The stem portion includes a valve-letting passage. The stem-letting aperture receives the stem section. The relief valve formation includes a valve stem and a valve upper portion. The valve stem includes opposed valve stem grooves that extend from a valve stem end and have a groove length lesser than the valve stem thereby forming a valve-sealing portion. The valve stem is receivable in the valve-letting passage. The collar element of certain embodiments includes an outer collar periphery and an inner slot portion. The inner slot portion accepts the collar-receiving stem section and the outer collar periphery is wider than stem-letting aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: NFR Investments Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: George D. Smith, Wilson Liao, Chiu Kit Ng
  • Patent number: 10506890
    Abstract: A cup holder includes a holder body having a peripheral wall surrounding an accommodation space, a tray provided in the accommodation space and vertically shiftably supported by the peripheral wall, and a height adjuster configured to vertically shift the tray. The height adjuster includes at least one rack gear extending vertically on the peripheral wall, at least one pinion gear rotatably supported by the tray and meshing with the rack gear, and an energizing member provided at the tray and energizing to rotate the pinion gear for upward shift of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Sawada, Shinji Kawakami
  • Patent number: 10442629
    Abstract: A vacuum holder for articles, a combination of a vacuum holder and an article, a system for holding and conveying articles, and a method for holding and conveying articles are disclosed. The vacuum holder includes a main body having a surface and an air passageway leading to the surface, and a valve joined to the main body and in fluid communication with the air passageway. An article can be placed adjacent to the surface of the main body, and a vacuum can be drawn through the air passageway to hold the article to the vacuum holder. The valve maintains the vacuum between the article and the vacuum holder without being connected to a vacuum source, until it is desired to release the article from the vacuum holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christopher Robert Lyman, Mark Levandoski, Michael Granitz, Jason Matthew Orndorff
  • Patent number: 10357883
    Abstract: End effectors and a related method of actuating items are disclosed. The end effector comprises a bladder comprising a pliable body that defines an inner recess in fluid communication with the manifold via a first connection. The pliable body has a sealing surface at its distal end and defines a chamber. The bladder further comprises a material disposed within the chamber. The method comprises contacting an item to conform the sealing surface to a contour of the item, transitioning the bladder to a structural state having greater rigidity, applying a vacuum to the inner recess via the first connection, and actuating the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James O'Connor, Gregory Coleman
  • Patent number: 9968469
    Abstract: A prosthesis liner for placing on a stump includes an elastic main body which has a proximal opening for inserting the stump into a receiving space, and a distal end. At least one suction cup is arranged on the outside of the prosthesis liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Andre Muller, Martin Hillmann
  • Patent number: 9676102
    Abstract: A sucker includes: a main body having a bottom face formed with an annular abutment; a disc body made of a flexible material having a tapered annular wall, the disc body being disposed under the bottom face of the main body, an outer circumference of the annular wall being formed with a lip edge positioned below the annular contact area; an air chamber being formed in the disc body; an air-sucking passage and a fast flow way; the air-sucking passage having a first end in communication with the air chamber of the disc body and a second end passing through the disc body and the main body to communicate with the fast flow way. When the sucker sucks a surface of an object, the air in the air-sucking passage is sucked into the fast flow way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GISON MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuang-Tai Li
  • Patent number: 9651084
    Abstract: A suction cup apparatus is disclosed that includes a suction cup and a suction cup cover. The suction cup has an outer sealing edge and can be placed under vacuum. The cover has a solid suction cup cover surface and a suction cup cover wall extending away from this surface. The suction cup cover wall is constructed to circumscribe the outer sealing edge, and the suction cup cover wall and solid suction cup cover surface are constructed to elastically deform under a pulling force. The suction cup cover is further constructed to fit around the sealing edge when subjected to the pulling force and to form an airtight seal between the suction cup and suction cup cover when the pulling force is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SPARROW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Leigh Livingston, Jr., Derek Carlton Westlund
  • Patent number: 9419331
    Abstract: An antenna assembly including an antenna, an antenna cable, a bendable structure, a housing interface, a first protection section and a second protection section. The bendable structure is a malleable material that remains in a bent position when bent. The first protection section covers the antenna and provides a weatherproof cover over the antenna. The housing interface mounts to a housing and covers the antenna cable in an area of the antenna cable adapted to enter the housing and the housing interface prior to entrance providing a weatherproof cover over the area of the antenna cable adapted to enter the housing. The second protection section is overmolded over a portion of the housing interface, the antenna cable, the bendable structure and a portion of the first protection. The second protection section is a flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: KCF Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: David R. Kraige, Jacob J. Loverich, Stephen J. Wenner
  • Patent number: 9375849
    Abstract: A sucker includes: a main body having a bottom face formed with an annular abutment; a disc body made of a flexible material having a tapered annular wall, the disc body being disposed under the bottom face of the main body, an outer circumference of the annular wall being formed with a freely flexible lip edge positioned below the annular abutment face; an air chamber being formed in the disc body; and an air-sucking passage having a first end in communication with the air chamber of the disc body and a second end passing through the disc body and the main body to communicate with outer side. When the sucker sucks a surface of an object, the top face of the lip edge is in contact with the abutment face and supported thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GISON MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuang-Tai Li
  • Patent number: 9305812
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a die eject assembly for a die bonder that may include a poker pin having an elongate shaft portion with a first end and a second end. The poker pin further includes a base portion having a first end and a second end. The base portion has a maximum diameter that is larger than the maximum diameter of the elongate shaft portion. The elongate shaft portion first end is fixedly attached to the base portion second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ali Imran Amin, Hamdan Hamid
  • Patent number: 8979046
    Abstract: A vacuum suction device of the present invention comprises: a cover which is rotatably mounted on the upper portion so as to couple to a flat surface by means of vacuum suction; an suction plate, which is coupled to the lower portion of the cover, for vacuum suction to the flat surface; and a height adjustment member, which is arranged between the cover and the suction plate, for moving the suction plate back and forth according to the rotation of the cover; wherein a plurality of fixing pieces are formed on the upper surface of the inside of the cover, a plurality of elastic stoppers are coupled to the inside of the height adjustment member, so as to be movable by sliding when each of the fixing pieces is in contact, and for fixing the cover by each of the fixing pieces being hooked to the end portion of the cover so as to prevent reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Chul Seok Woo
  • Publication number: 20140263894
    Abstract: A sucker includes a sucker body having a rough suction layer which includes a plurality of protrusions which are juxtaposed to each other closely, and a plurality of grooves defined between the protrusions. When the rough suction layer presses an attached face and is disposed at a negative pressure state, the sucker body is pressed toward the attached face by a normal force from the ambient air, so that the rough suction layer is compressed, and the grooves form multiple independent negative pressure or vacuum zones, to increase a negative pressure of the rough suction layer, to decrease air existing in the rough suction layer, and to reduce a vacuum leak in the rough suction layer, so as to increase an air-tightness between the rough suction layer and the attached face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Kuei-I Chen
  • Publication number: 20140197288
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of suction cups, and more particularly to a rotatable multi-cup suction device. The heavy-load suction cup device includes a cup body that is directly contactable with an adhered surface. The cup body is provided thereon with a cap that defines, together with the cup body, a cavity. The cup body includes a coupling rod. The cap includes a mounting hole formed in a central portion thereof for receiving the coupling rod to extend therethrough. The cup body includes an air evacuation hole that is connectable to and thus communicates with an air evacuation device. The device can notify a user when the suction force gets weakening in order to restore or replenish the suction force and has an improved functionality of self-inspection. Further, the suction cup device has an increased load capacity, an extended life span, and is reusable for numerous times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL TRIM SUPPLY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHIH-SHENG YANG
  • Publication number: 20140070063
    Abstract: A hanging mechanism for hanging an electronic device on a wall is disclosed. The hanging mechanism includes an adhering layer, a hanging member, and an adhering member. The adhering layer is made of silicon rubber and formed on the wall. The adhering member is made of silicon rubber, and fixed to a side of the hanging member. The adhering layer and the adhering member cooperatively define an air chamber. An air cock is mounted on the adhering member, for sealing the air chamber. When air is extracted from the air chamber, the air chamber deforms, such that the adhering member is adhered to the adhering layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: DA-WEI LIN
  • Publication number: 20140027588
    Abstract: A sucker includes a sucker body having a rough suction layer which includes a plurality of protrusions which are juxtaposed to each other closely, and a plurality of grooves defined between the protrusions. When the rough suction layer presses an attached face and is disposed at a negative pressure state, the sucker body is pressed toward the attached face by a normal force from the ambient air, so that the rough suction layer is compressed, and the grooves form multiple independent negative pressure or vacuum zones, to increase a negative pressure of the rough suction layer, to decrease air existing in the rough suction layer, and to reduce a vacuum leak in the rough suction layer, so as to increase an air-tightness between the rough suction layer and the attached face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Kuei-I Chen
  • Patent number: 8480044
    Abstract: An omni-direction rotatable dual-cup suction device includes two suction cups, which are respectively combined with and in communication with two evacuation structures, so that the two evacuation structures can evacuate air from the suction cups to induce vacuum suction forces. The two suction cups are respectively provided with a mounting seat and an attaching seat for securely coupling the two evacuation structures. The mounting seat includes a pillar fixed thereto. A collar receives a ball end of a bar therein and is attached to the pillar. The ball-ended bar is coupled to a threaded rod, which extends through an internally-threaded locking knob and received into the attaching seat to be secured by a nut. With such an arrangement, one of the suction cups can be attached to a planar fixture surface, while the other suction cup can be used to hold an article and is orientation adjustable in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Lih Yann Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Po Lin Liao
  • Publication number: 20130112838
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclose a coupling device configured to couple to a surface. The coupling device including: (a) a first housing; (b) a rotational dial with a first aperture and mechanically coupled to the first housing, the rotational dial comprising a cam mechanism adjacent to the first aperture; (c) a support base comprising a first stem with a second aperture, the first stem is located inside the first aperture, the stem having a second aperture; (d) a suction cup coupled to at least one of the rotational dial or the support base, the suction cup having: (1) a suction portion; and (2) a second stem located inside of the second aperture; and (e) an elastic mechanism located at least partially between the support base and the second stem of the suction cup. The coupling device is configured such that the suction cup can be rotated relative to at least the rotational dial to create a vacuum between the suction portion and the surface. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: BELKIN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: BELKIN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130075554
    Abstract: A suction disc device includes at least two suction pads. Each suction pad includes a lower suction disc and an upper suction disc. The lower suction disc is adapted to suck on a supporting object such as a table or floor, etc. The upper suction disc is adapted for holding or placing objects such as beverage bottles, bowls, dishes or cups, etc. The upper and the lower suction discs of each suction pad are in communication with each other by a through-hole. Furthermore, a communicating tube is connected between the two suction pads, so that the two suction pads can be detached synchronously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Yuan-Song Tsai, Sheng-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 8267367
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum pad device used in a vacuum transport system. The pad device includes a housing, a pad unit connected to the housing through a ball joint such that the pad unit is rotatable, and a piston arranged in the housing and controlling the rotation of the pad unit. The pad unit is bonded to an object at a desirable rotation angle, and controlled such that the rotation angle is fixed by the movement of a piston operating via compressed air. Consequently, the object can be transported in an accurate and safe manner. Preferably, the vacuum pad device of the present invention further includes a vacuum pump arranged in the housing unit the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Pneumatic System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho-Young Cho
  • Patent number: 8261937
    Abstract: A dispenser includes an upper member having a slot and a lower member attached to the upper member thereby forming a housing, the lower member having an outer surface; a stack of sheets assembled in a fan-fold configuration disposed in the housing; and a polymeric holding film having a first surface attached to the outer surface of the lower member. The holding film having a flexural modulus less than about 50 MPa, as measured according to ASTMD790 standard, and a roughness parameter, Ra of less than about 1 micrometer, as calculated according to ASME B46.1 standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas P. Bodziak, James E. Nash, Peter Newbould, Timothy J. O'Leary, David C. Windorski
  • Patent number: 8186642
    Abstract: A portable device accessory is used to hold, grip or manipulate a portable device such as and not limited to mobile phones, MP3 players, portable entertainment/computing devices, and/or gaming devices. The accessory possesses two suctions cups connected by a neck and having an aperture for receiving a jack on earphone. Certain embodiments of the accessory will have tabs, ridges, groove and/or a space to receive earphones. The accessory permits a jack of earphones to be threaded through an aperture and the cord of the earphones to be wrapped around the accessory. The suction cups may be inverted to conceal the cord wrapped around a neck of the accessory and tabs may be used to hold inverted suction cups together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: John Weiss-Vons
  • Patent number: 8136802
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a level compensator in a vacuum system including a fixing tube fixed to a structure, a hollow slider disposed in the fixing tube so as to move in a vertical direction, and a spring disposed between the fixing tube and the slider so as to elastically support the slider, in which a vacuum pump having an inflow port at one end, an outflow port at the other end, and an inhalation hole in a side wall thereof is mounted inside the slider. When compressed air guided to an upper opening in the slider passes between the inflow port and the outflow port and is discharged through a discharging port formed on the side wall of the slider, air is induced to the space inside the slider from the lower portion of the slider, and is discharged along with the compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Pneumatic System Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Ho-Young Cho
  • Patent number: 8079565
    Abstract: A portable device accessory is used to hold, grip or manipulate a portable device such as and not limited to mobile phones, MP3 players, portable entertainment/computing devices, and/or gaming devices. The accessory possesses two suctions cups connected by a neck and having an aperture for receiving a jack on earphone. Certain embodiments of the accessory will have tabs, ridges, groove and/or a space to receive earphones. The accessory permits a jack of earphones to be threaded through an aperture and the cord of the earphones to be wrapped around the accessory. The suction cups may be inverted to conceal the cord wrapped around a neck of the accessory and tabs may be used to hold inverted suction cups together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: John Weiss-Vons
  • Patent number: 7913962
    Abstract: Herein disclosed a suction cup including: a suction cup body having at least one surface having a gel, the surface being a suction surface; and an elastically deformable spring element provided in or on the suction cup body, having a concave shape so as to make the suction surface have a concave shape, and energizing a central part of the suction surface away from a surface to be sucked in the condition where the suction surface is in suction contact with the surface to be sucked, wherein the spring element is formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity higher than those of natural rubber and synthetic rubbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Takahashi, Makoto Kawabata
  • Publication number: 20110001024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum pad device used in a vacuum transport system. The pad device includes a housing, a pad unit connected to the housing through a ball joint such that the pad unit is rotatable, and a piston arranged in the housing and controlling the rotation of the pad unit. The pad unit is bonded to an object at a desirable rotation angle, and controlled such that the rotation angle is fixed by the movement of a piston operating via compressed air. Consequently, the object can be transported in an accurate and safe manner. Preferably, the vacuum pad device of the present invention further includes a vacuum pump arranged in the housing unit the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Ho-Young Cho
  • Patent number: 7850134
    Abstract: A magnet-holder for attaching an object to a glass pane has two parts of a holder which can be placed on mutually opposed boundary faces of said glass pane and are biased towards one another by a magnetic-force apparatus. In addition, that part of the holder which is disposed on the inner side of the glass pane has a contact plate whose side that faces towards the glass pane carries a plurality of elastic holding cups which can cling to the pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Tunze Aquarientechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Tunza
  • Patent number: 7841568
    Abstract: Herein disclosed a suction cup including: a suction cup body having at least one surface having a gel, the surface being a suction surface; and an elastically deformable spring element provided in or on the suction cup body, having a concave shape so as to make the suction surface have a concave shape, and energizing a central part of the suction surface away from a surface to be sucked in the condition where the suction surface is in suction contact with the surface to be sucked, wherein the spring element is formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity higher than those of natural rubber and synthetic rubbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Takahashi, Makoto Kawabata
  • Patent number: 7837163
    Abstract: Herein disclosed a suction cup including: a suction cup body having at least one surface having a gel, the surface being a suction surface; and an elastically deformable spring element provided in or on the suction cup body, having a concave shape so as to make the suction surface have a concave shape, and energizing a central part of the suction surface away from a surface to be sucked in the condition where the suction surface is in suction contact with the surface to be sucked, wherein the spring element is formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity higher than those of natural rubber and synthetic rubbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Takahashi, Makoto Kawabata
  • Patent number: 7748487
    Abstract: This invention provides a device capable of covering the surface of an object situated in a gas with a region filled with a liquid and of moving such region, capable of sucking and collecting such liquid from the surface of the object wetted by the liquid and of drying such surface, and is capable of allowing such region to adhere to and crawl along the surface of the subject, while conducting ultrasonic flaw detection or ultrasonic cleaning of the surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Fukashi Urakami
  • Publication number: 20100164241
    Abstract: A suction device has a flexible sucker membrane having a peripherally extending skirt, and an actuator arranged to act to reconfigure the sucker between a suction enhanced configuration and a suction released configuration. The actuator is also operable to lift an outer edge of the peripherally extending skirt which enables more convenient release of the suction device than would otherwise be possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: William Finck
  • Publication number: 20100032534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a level compensator in a vacuum system including a fixing tube fixed to a structure, a hollow slider disposed in the fixing tube so as to move in a vertical direction, and a spring disposed between the fixing tube and the slider so as to elastically support the slider, in which a vacuum pump having an inflow port at one end, an outflow port at the other end, and an inhalation hole in a side wall thereof is mounted inside the slider. When compressed air guided to an upper opening in the slider passes between the inflow port and the outflow port and is discharged through a discharging port formed on the side wall of the slider, air is induced to the space inside the slider from the lower portion of the slider, and is discharged along with the compressed air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Ho-Young Cho
  • Patent number: 7607622
    Abstract: A suction cup device having a compact axial suction cup installation and release mechanism including a suction cup within a concave housing, and a rotational drive member structured to operate on an external surface of the housing. A drive shaft is coupled to the suction cup and extends through an aperture in the housing, projecting above a drive surface axially aligned with the concave surface formed in the housing. The drive shaft extends through an aperture in the rotational drive member and includes an inclined drive surface that interacts with a fixed drive surface to pull a flexible portion of the suction cup into the housing when the rotational drive member is rotated relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Publication number: 20090261218
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vacuum cup mount including the steps of providing a housing having a mount base and a generally upstanding wall extending from the mount base, providing a retainer having an aperture that extends from an upper side of the retainer to a lower side of the retainer and a plurality of recesses formed on the lower side of the retainer in communication with the aperture, placing the retainer on the mount base so that the lower side of the retainer faces the mount base, and bending at least a portion of the generally upstanding wall so that the bent portion of the generally upstanding wall engages the upper surface of the retainer to secure the retainer with respect to the mount base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: NORGREN AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Dellach
  • Patent number: 7588221
    Abstract: A suction cup device is disclosed comprising a panel 10 having a plurality of suction cups 20, each suction cup having a stem 22 and a release tab 24, said stem being attached to the bottom side of the panel, wherein said panel has two or more slots 30, and wherein a means for fastening a load to said panel may be passed through said slots. The panel also contains notches 50 to allow access to the release tabs 24 of the plurality of suction cups 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Rene C. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7475858
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting assembly for mounting an electronic device to a surface. The mounting assembly generally includes a base including a mounting ball and a socket assembly operable to frictionally engage the ball to removably couple the socket assembly to the base. The base may be removably coupled with the surface and the socket assembly may be removably coupled with the electronic device. Such a configuration enables the electronic device to be easily positioned in confined environments by first attaching the base to the surface, then attaching the socket assembly to the base and positioning the socket assembly in a desired orientation, and finally attaching the electronic device to the socket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert M. Kalis, Stephen P. Waite, Paul E. Skelton, Dale R. Langner
  • Publication number: 20090001234
    Abstract: A segregator barrier (2) comprising a barrier portion attached to one or more suction plates (4), wherein the or each suction plate (4) is operable to adhere to a surface by means of a vacuum created between the surface and the suction plate (4), wherein in use the vacuum is provided by a vacuum source. One or more one-way flow valves may be provided between the vacuum source and the suction plate (4) or at least one of the suction plates (4). Furthermore, one or more vacuum reservoirs may be provided between the vacuum source and the suction plate (4) or at least one of the suction plates (4). The barrier (2) may also be adapted to mitigate the effect of a shock load applied to the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: John A. Fullagar, Andrew J. Cuthbertson, Reginald J. Woods
  • Publication number: 20080277544
    Abstract: A sucker includes a fixing seat, a sucker body, a control handle and a control valve. The sucker body has a first side provided with a recess and a second side provided with a connecting hole connected to the recess. The control valve includes a valve stem movably mounted on the fixing seat and movable to stop the recess. Thus, the valve stem can be pulled outwardly to detach from the recess of the sucker body so as to connect the connecting hole and the recess of the sucker body and to connect the connecting hole of the sucker body to the ambient air so as to break the vacuum state of the sucker body so that the sucker body can be removed from a surface easily and quickly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Lung-Chih Chen
  • Publication number: 20080116338
    Abstract: A suction cup removably attached to a housing lifts and moves an object. A venturi removably attached to the housing provides a vacuum effect to secure the suction cup to the object. The venturi includes a pair of opposing ears. When the venturi is inserted into a venturi hole of the housing, the ears compress a pin. When the venturi is rotated to an attached position, the ears do not contact the pin, and a spring biases the pin outwardly to secure the venturi to the housing. The pin is coupled to a button on the housing that can be slid to move the pin inwardly to allow rotation and removal of venturi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: James R. Kalb
  • Publication number: 20080011918
    Abstract: A vacuum-operated vehicle glass handling system includes a plurality of suction cups movably disposed on a frame. A powered vacuum source is fluidly connected to the plurality of suction cups for providing a vacuum at each of the plurality of suction cups. A powered vacuum source includes a pair of vacuum pumps both fluidly connected to the plurality of suction cups for redundantly providing the vacuum to the plurality of suction cups. A power source is selectively electrically connected to the powered vacuum source. A pair of vacuum actuators is on the frame for selectively electrically connecting the power source to the powered vacuum source so the powered vacuum source can provide the vacuum at the plurality of suction cups. The power source is electrically connected to the powered vacuum source upon actuation of one or both of the pair of vacuum actuators. A pair of release actuators is on the frame for selectively releasing the vacuum provided at the plurality of suction cups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Pieter Bruce, George Eugene Twaddle, Stephen C. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 7275725
    Abstract: When a vacuum-suction tool stand (1) is to be stuck to a table (2), a valve (16) is rotated to a position so that a knob (163) comes to the right side thereof viewed from the front to establish communication between an air suction hole (132) and a cavity (131). Then, by sucking the air within the cavity (131) through the air suction hole (132) using a suction pump (not shown) to make the inside of the cavity (131) close to a vacuum state, thereby the vacuum-suction tool stand (1) is stuck to the table (2). To release suction, the knob (163) of the valve (16) is rotated clockwise by 90 degrees. Then, the communication between an air release hole (15) and the cavity (131) is established and the air is supplied to the cavity (131) in a substantially vacuum state, and thus the vacuum-suction state is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Kimura